Ecology: The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment.

Biotic Factors Living organisms Dead organisms Organisms’ waste

Abiotic Factors Nonliving things in an ecosystem Ex.: Rocks, water, temperature, sunlight, oxygen, sand, climate

Parts of the Earth:

Biodiversity The number of different species in an area

Abiotic factors affect biodiversity Temperature: very high or very low temp. limits biodiversity Water: amount limits biodiversity

Climate average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time determines kinds of species present

Is high or low biodiversity more stable?

High biodiversity resists damage better! Ecosystem damage can come from natural disasters human impact http://www.marinenz.org.nz/index.php/the_undersea_world/roger_grace_archive/benefits_of_marine_reserves

Levels of Organization Species Population Community Ecosystem Biome Biosphere

Species: organisms that can breed and produce viable offspring.

Population: individuals of the same species in the same area.

Community: all populations of different species living together.

Ecosystem: all organisms in an area and their abiotic environment.

Biome: a region with specific communities and climate (temp Biome: a region with specific communities and climate (temp. and precipitation).

Terrestrial Biomes Tropical - low latitudes, warm, water varies rain forests - lots of rain savannas - less rain, long dry season deserts - little rain, lower biodiversity Rainforest Biome

Temperate - mid-latitudes, temp. varies grasslands - moderate water, cooler temps than savannas forests - plenty of rain, mild climate deserts - little rain, wide temp. range

High Latitude taiga - forests in cold, wet climates tundra - little rain, mostly frozen http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=taiga&form=QBIR&qs=n&sk=&sc=8-5#focal=21f2731d29856171ea9611a8694e4371&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.johndrew.com%2FAlaska%2520Images%2FTundra%2520Approaching%2520the%2520Alaska%2520Range1.jpg

Aquatic Ecosystems Freshwater - lakes, ponds, rivers Wetlands - mix of land/water Estuary - fresh meets salt water Marine - salty water

Biosphere: the part of the world in which life can exist

Ecological Methods Observing – what, how many, what are they doing? Experimenting – test hypothesis Modeling – large problems or long time frames.

Classification of Living Things Ch. 18, pp.423-426 Grouping life based on similarities Why classify? To study the vast diversity of life and organize information.

Carolus Linneaus Swedish, 1750s Organized and classified living things into a hierarchical system based on physical characteristics.

Linnaeus’s System Seven taxonomic categories: Kingdom Animal Phylum Arthropoda Class Insecta Order Lepidoptera Family Danaidae Genus Danaus Species plexippus

Now we have “Domain” above the Kingdom level 3 Domains The system can change as scientists gather new information! (DNA, new discoveries) Now we have “Domain” above the Kingdom level 3 Domains Archaea Bacteria Eukarya

Now come up with your own mnemonic device to remember the order of taxons from domain to species. D K P C O F G S

Taxonomy: the classification and naming of organisms. Scientific names are universal. Binomial nomenclature – two part name. Genus species Ex: Homo sapiens, Drosophila melanogaster, Toxicodendron radicans, Peromiscus maniculatus

Taxon General term for any one of these categories in the hierarchy. Plural of taxon is taxa.

Monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=monarch+butterfly&FORM=BIFD#focal=fd1eb6f96d112ce06eaf105fb75a72f3&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fnewarklibrary.files.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F04%2F019-monarch_butterfly1.jpg

Insect Project To learn the scientific names of some common Kansas insect species To use the Linnaen classification system To use a dichotomous key to identify insects

http://www. bing. com/images/search http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=insect+collection&FORM=BIFD#focal=6b25f4c47dbf85580029f38134a311e2&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fotothing.com%2Fphotos%2F4f6%2F4f6e3dc2ea211f1dcd49a7b4358df815.jpg

Dichotomous Keys An identification key that contains pairs of contrasting descriptions. After each description, a key either directs the user to another pair of descriptions or identifies an object http://www.amnh.org/learn/biodiversity_counts/ident_help/Text_Keys/arthropod_keyA.htm

The useful online resources like identification keys for your insect project will be on the T-drive: Share with Students Schwarting Biology Insects

Homework: Read Ch. 18. Section 1 on page 423-426. Do the Chapter 18 Lab on page 438. (You do not have to do the part on p. 439.)